Claustrophobia Tips

Claustrophobia is characterized as a serious, incapacitating fear of confined spaces, a fear of physical entrapment. Many people describe it as a sense of suffocation. Many times claustrophobia is rooted in a scary childhood memory buried in the recesses of the mind. People who have claustrophobia may feel tension and apprehension in cars crowded with people, trains, elevators, closets, airplanes or the tight squeeze of pulling a shirt down over their heads. There are tips for managing claustrophobia and minimizing the side effects that it can manifest.

The Degrees of Claustrophobia

• Claustrophobia can range from mild to severe. It can interrupt daily aspects of general living if it is not given appropriate attention. Claustrophobia is brought on by the fear of tight spaces. One underlying emotion is the fear of being incapable of escaping from a tight feeling spot, like an elevator, or airplane because of the feeling of confinement.

The Deep-Rooted Psychological Explanation for Claustrophobia

• Many times claustrophobia can be rooted in a scary childhood memory that is buried in the recesses of the mind. It could have been a playful moment of wrestling with pillows and being playfully smothered that led to a full-fledged panic attack. If a similar circumstance occurs later in years, it could potentially bring on the same sense of panic.

Treatment for Claustrophobia

• There are several forms of treatment for claustrophobia. Behavior therapy enables the patient to understand the underlying factor to help reinforcement a more positive reaction. They can then disconnect themselves from the prior emotions. Flooding is another effective treatment whereby the patient is introduced once again to the similar setting where the anxiety initially occurred and stays in that setting as they work through the emotions attached to it. Counter-conditioning is used, along with behavior therapy, where the patient is trained in visualization skills and relaxation techniques. They are then reintroduced to the setting of initial anxiety. There is also regression hypnotherapy where the person is put under hypnosis to reconstruct the initial traumatic event and come to terms with it. The counselor can help to guide the patient to a place of tranquility concerning the setting of physical entrapment. Anti-depressants and beta-blockers are helpful medications that may aid in warding off anxiety attacks.